U.S. patent number 4,052,058 [Application Number 05/674,934] was granted by the patent office on 1977-10-04 for pistol draw target.
Invention is credited to Ronald E. Hintz.
United States Patent |
4,052,058 |
Hintz |
October 4, 1977 |
Pistol draw target
Abstract
An adult or child life-size two dimensional human figure
designed to simulate a man withdrawing a pistol or other firearms
from a holster or the like. The figure is maintained in an upright
position with its legs affixed within a rigid pace and includes a
weighted set of arms with the pistol drawing arm held in a down
position by means of a wire rod which is tripped by pulling on a
string attached thereto to spring the arm into a simulated pistol
draw to provide a contest to an individual attempting to outdraw
the target device.
Inventors: |
Hintz; Ronald E. (Delta,
CO) |
Family
ID: |
24708468 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/674,934 |
Filed: |
April 8, 1976 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/446 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F
9/0204 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63F
9/02 (20060101); A63B 069/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;273/1R,1E |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Shapiro; Paul E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Gordon; Marden S.
Claims
Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:
1. A pistol draw target device intended for use by an individual to
test and practice their skill in withdrawing a pistol from a
holster, the pistol draw target device comprising, in
combination:
a flat frame member in a shape defining a head portion, torso
portion, and leg portion of an individual, the frame member having
a flat front surface and a flat back surface;
a U-sahped leg defining member secured to the back surface of the
frame member rearwardly of the leg portion thereof with its bight
portion disposed nearest the torso and with its leg portions
extending parallel to the frame member and outwardly of the frame
member leg portions, each leg portion terminating an equidistance
from the frame member;
a base member of a substantially rectangular flat configuration
having a flat bottom surface adapted to rest firmly and securely on
the ground, a top surface, and opposed end and side surfaces;
a pair of socket defining elements each affixed to the top surface
of the base member a spaced distance apart from each other with
their axis extending parallel to each other and normal to the plane
of the base member, the spacing between the sockets being
substantially equal to the spacing between the terminal ends of the
U-shaped leg defining member wth the sockets adapted to receive
therein said ends to support said frame member on said base member
in an upright vertically disposed position;
a unitary rod member bent along its axis to define three portions
thereof, namely, an arm member, a main body member, and a stub end
member, the arm member disposed at a ninety degree angle to the
body member and projecting outwardly in a radial direction
therefrom, the stub end member disposed at a ninety degree angle to
the body member and to the arm member and projecting outwardly from
the body member in a direction normal to the plane defined by the
combined arm and body members;
a plurality of bracket means rotatably securing the body member to
the back surface of the frame member a short distance below a
shoulder defining portion of the torso portion and extending in a
horizontal direction and projecting outwardly from both sides of
the frame member in the general area of the shoulders thereof;
said bracket means permitting rotatable movement of the body member
about its longitudinal axis along with longitudinal movement
therealong;
means affixed to opposite end portions of the body member inwardly
of the stub end member and arm member thereof to limit the
longitudinal sliding movement of the body member relative to the
frame member by bearing against opposite side edges of the frame
member;
said rod member when affixed to said frame member having the arm
member extending vertically downwardly in an arm like manner with
the stub end member extending outwardly rearwardly of the frame
member back surface;
weight means secured to the stub end member to bias the stub end to
seek a vertical position;
a stop member affixed to the frame member a distance vertically
below the stub end member junction with the body member, the stop
member having a U-shaped spring clip extending rearwardly outwardly
therefrom of a size and configuration to engage and retain therein
the stub end member when in the vertical position;
a rigid trigger arm having a leading end and a trailering end, the
trailering end being bent into the shape of a loop;
bracket means securing the trigger arm in a horizontal position on
the frame member back surface at a position disposed vertically
below the waist of the torso portion, the trigger arm being
slidable along its axis between an operative position where the
leading end extends outwardly of the frame member a distance to
engage the arm member when in the vertical position, and an in
operative released position where it is free of the arm member and
out of the path of movement of the arm member; and
a flexible cord having one end affixed to the loop of the trigger
arm trailering end with its opposite end extending a distance
outwardly and away from the frame member to the position of the
individual using the pistol draw device;
whereby the device is armed by placing the arm member in the
vertical downward position and retaining it there by engaging the
trigger arm therewith, and upon the individual pulling the cord to
release the trigger arm from engagement with the arm member the
weighted stub end member rotates about the axis of the horizontal
body member in a downward direction driving the arm member upwardly
and forwardly of the frame member in a pistol drawing gesture.
2. The pistol draw target device as set forth in claim 1 wherein
the weight means on the stub end member comprises an open ended
cylindrical weight having a passageway extending completely axially
therethrough, screw threads formed on the outer end portion of the
stub end, and a pair of nuts threaded on the stub end with the
weight captured therebetween and thus secured thereby to the stub
end.
3. The pistol draw target device as set forth in claim 2 further
characterized by a plurality of guide means affixed to the back
surface of the frame member and to the top surface of the base
member for training the flexible cord therethough in its path from
the trigger arm to the individual.
4. The pistol draw target device as set forth in claim 3 further
characterized by a hat removeably seated on the head portion of the
frame member.
5. The pistol draw target device as set forth in claim 4 further
characterized by facial features being defined on the front surface
of the head portion of the frame member.
6. The pistol draw target device as set forth in claim 5 wherein
the frame member is manufactured of wood.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a pistol draw target to provide a contest
to an individual for purposes of training in the rapid and
efficient withdrawal of a pistol from a holster or the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Due to the wide publicity of the West on television, in books, and
the like, children and adults throughout the nation have acquired
considerable interest in rapidly drawing a pistol from a holster
and engage in many contests of skill to see how fast they are on
the draw. Consequently, many devices in the way of toys and other
game apparatus have been devised to test an individual's skill in
drawing a pistol. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,082,573 issued to
Kantz on Mar. 26, 1963 describes a toy which simulates a man
withdrawing a pistol from a holster wherein the forearm is
activated by a wound spring and is provided with an explosive cap
to make a noise simulating the firing of a gun. Patent No.
3,008,712 issued to Konopka on November 14, 1961 relates to a
pistol draw game apparatus which is an electrically operated
amusement device for timing the withdrawal of a pistol from a
holster by one or more individuals. U.S. Pat. No. 3,558,132 issued
to Miller on Jan. 26, 1971 describes a gun drawing timing apparatus
consisting primarily of an electrical timing clock for measuring
the time interval required for an operator to draw a handgun, fire
the same and hit the target. U.S. Pat. No. 3,680,863 issued to
Wallace and Smith on Aug. 1, 1972 reveals a target shooting
apparatus wherein targets are launched from a launching station
toward a shooter, with a timer actuated when a target is launched
and deactuated when a shooter fires at the target with a shooter
being awarded a score which is adversely proportional to the time
lapse between launch and firing. Although many interesting devices
are available for testing ones skill at withdrawing a pistol from
the holster, there is an obvious need in the marketplace for a
simply constructed pistol draw target which requires a minimum of
components and it is easily activated to test an individual's skill
in withdrawing a pistol or other handgun.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a pistol draw target for testing
ones skill in drawing a pistol or other handgun from a holster or
the like.
It is a feature of the present invention to provide a pistol draw
target.
A further feature of the present invention provides a pistol draw
target which is portable and easy to use and reliable in
operation.
Yet still a further feature of the present invention provides a
pistol draw target which is of a rugged and durable construction
and which, therefore, may be guaranteed by the manufacturer to
withstand long usage.
An additional feature of the present invention provides a pistol
draw target which is simple in construction and which, therefore,
may be produced by a manufacturer at an economical cost.
Other features of this invention will be apparent during the course
of the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification,
and in which like reference characters are employed to designate
like parts throughout the same:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pistol draw target with the
simulated drawing arm in a cocked position;
FIG. 2 is a partial rear view of the pistol draw target depicting
the drawing arm components;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the U-shaped catch;
FIG. 4 is a partial rear view of the pistol draw target depicting
the support legs; and
FIG. 5 is a side view of the device's arm in the drawn
position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is illustrated a
preferred form of the pistol draw target constructed in accordance
with the principles of the present invention and which is
designated generally in its entirety by the reference numeral 10
and which is comprised of a frame 11, an arm assembly 12, an arm
trigger mechanism 13, the frame legs 14, a base 15, and associated
hardware and interconnecting components as will be later
described.
The frame 11 is constructed of durable material, such as plywood,
pressboard, or the like, and, as shown in FIG. 1, is shaped with
the configuration of a child or adult life-size figure having an
opposed front surfce 16 and back surface 17 with the top portion of
the front surface 16 being provided with facial features 18 and
with a optional head covering or hat 19.
The arm assembly 12 consists of a length of durable rod or tubing
which is bent to form a simulated arm 20, a horizontal section 21
which is bent perpendicularly to the arm 20, and the stub end 22
which is bent perpendicularly from the horizontal section 21 so as
to also be perpendicular to the arm 20 and extending rearwardly
from the back surface 17 of the frame 11. A series of sleeves 23
are fitted losely over and along the length of the horizontal
section 21 as shown in FIG. 2 with the sleeves 23 being tightly
secured to the back surface 17 by means of the U-shaped brackets 24
and the wood screw 25 so that the horizontal section 21 is
positioned in the horizontal plane on the back surface 17 a short
distance below the shoulder portion 26 of the frame 11. Two
conventional washers 27 are positioned over the horizontal section
21 and securely affixed thereto, such as by welding, and are spaced
apart by the width of the frame 11 so as to prevent side swaying of
the horizontal section 21 in a horizontal direction. The stub end
22 is provided with external threads 28 a short distance from its
end for assembly thereover, of a cylindrical weight 30 and which is
tightened in place on the stub end 22 by means of the nuts 30. A
U-shaped spring clip 31 is provided with a series of round through
holes 33 for assembly to a mounting plate 32 in a conventional way,
such as with bolts and nuts, rivets, and the like, which is
provided with round through holes (not shown). in axial alignment
with the round through holes 33, and with the mounting plate 32
being mounted to the back surface of 17 in the conventional way,
such as with wood screws, through the round through holes 34 so as
to line up the opening 35 of the U-shaped spring clip 31 with the
weight 29 when stub end 22 in lowered into a vertical position.
The arm trigger mechanism of 13 consists of a trigger rod 36
consisting pf a length of rigid wire which is straight in
configuration but formed with a loop 37 on one end thereof, with
the trigger rod 36 being loosely secured within two U-shaped
brackets 38 to the back surface 17 by means of conventional screws
or nails 39 so that the trigger rod 36 extends in a horizontal
plane a distance laterally from the frame 11 so as to extend
shortly beyond the arm 20 when the trigger rod 36 is in the fully
extended position. A conventional string or cord 40 is knotted on
one end to the loop 37 and, as shown in FIG. 2, is dressed through
two eye hooks 41, which are screwed in a conventional manner into
the back surface 17 to be in vertical alignment with each other
with the upper eye hook being provided in the same horizontal plane
and a short distance of the loop 37 when the trigger rod 36 is in a
fully outwardly extended position, and with the cord 40 being of
sufficient length to extend several feet in front of the pistol
draw target for use by an individual in practicing withdrawal of
the pistol from the holster.
The frame legs 14, as shown in FIG. 4, are constructed of a single
piece of durable tubing formed in a U-shaped configuration and is
provided with a series of through holes (not shown) through which
the frame legs 14 are secured to the back surface 17 near the
bottom thereof by means of conventional wood screws 42.
The base 15 consists of a square or rectangular base plate 43 with
a reinforcement block 44 being secured to the top surface of the
base plate 43 in a conventional manner, such as by nails, screws,
adhesive, or the like, so as to be centrally located on the top
surface of the base plate 43 in one plane and to extend the length
of the base plate 43 in the opposite plane. Two cylindrical nipples
45 are securely affixed and centered on the top surface of the
reinforcement block 44 with the spacing between the nipples 45
being equal to the spacing between the frame legs 14, and with the
nipples 45 being provided with the round openings 46 which are
slightly larger than the outside diameter of the frame legs 14 for
assembly of the frame legs 14 therein to stand the frame in an
upright position. The top of the reinforcement block 44 is further
provided with an eye hook 47 through which the cord 40 is dressed
to extend to the front of the frame 11 and which is in vertical
alignment with the eye hooks 41.
In operation, the user stands some distance away from and facing
the front surface 16 of the pistol draw target 10 with a pistol or
hand gun in the holster, tucked within one's belt, or the like. The
user's pistol or hand gun can be provided with blank cartridges,
wax bullets, or live ammunition as desired by the user, with live
ammunition being the least desirable due to possible personal
hazards and quicker deterioration of the pistol draw target 10. The
user or another individual pulls on the cord 40 to pull the cord
through the eyelets 47 and 41 and, with the opposite end of the
cord 40 attached to the loop 37 on the trigger rod 36, the trigger
rod 36 is rapidly pulled through the U-shaped brackets 38 to
withdraw the trigger rod 36 inwardly of the back surface 17 of the
frame 11 and away from the arm 20. The weight 29 attached to the
stub end 22 of the arm assembly 12 then falls from a horizontal
position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 into a vertical position as
shown in FIG. 5 where the weight 29 rapidly falls into the opening
35 to snap into the U-shaped spring clip 31, this in turn raising
the arm 20 into a horizontal position, as shown in FIG. 5, to
simulate the drawing of a pistol or hand gun by a pistol draw
target 10. The user, of course, draws his pistol or hand gun upon
the tug of the cord 40 trying to shoot at the pistol draw target 10
before the arm 20 is raised into the horizontal position, the
rapidity of the user's draw being judged visually by the user or
other onlookers. The arm 20 is reset into the vertical position by
manually lowering the arm 20 from the horizontal position and then
by manually pulling the trigger rod 36 laterally from the back
surface 17 of the frame 11 to hold the arm 20 in place as
previously described. The pistol draw target 10 is portable and can
readily be moved from one place to another by lifting the frame
legs 14 out of the nipples 45 provided on the base 15 for setting
up the pistol draw target 10 in another location.
There is thus provided a novel pistol draw target for use in
testing or practicing one's skill in withdrawing a pistol or hand
gun from a holster or the like, the invention being simple in
construction and requiring a minimum number of moving parts to meet
its stated objectives.
It is to be understood that the form of this invention as shown and
described is to be taken as a preferred example thereof, and that
this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of
parts described in the description or illustrated in the drawings
as changes thereto in the details thereof pertaining to size, shape
and arrangement of parts thereof are envisioned within the scope of
the invention without departing from the novel concepts of the
invention.
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